Course information

Aims

To provide basic knowledge of how patients are treated using ionising radiation
and a theoretical knowledge how the therapeutic effect is produced. The basic
concepts of radiation protection are also described.

Year 3 and Level 7 (previously called M-level) variants

This course can
be taken in Year 3 as MPHY3892 or in Year 4 as an Level 7 (previously called M-level) variant
called MPHYM892. The Level 7 variant has an additional essay, and a higher pass mark of 50%.

Objectives

To impart knowledge and understanding of dosimetry for ionising radiation.

To impart knowledge on the radiobiological basis of ionising radiation treatment.

To impart knowledge on methods used for planning the treatment of patients
with ionising radiation.

To impart knowledge and understanding of concepts in radiation
protection.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching will consist of:

Lectures, ~22 hours.

A problem-based learning assignment, ~10 hours (timetabled). This also forms the coursework, so you are expected to contribute additional time.

Private reading, ~10 hours

For MPHY3892, the assessment will consist of:

1 unseen written examination (2 hours) worth 60% of the total course mark.

A problem-based learning assignment, assessed by report and presentation and worth 40% of the total course
mark.

For MPHYM892, candidates will complete an extra piece of coursework, so the assessment will be:

1 unseen written examination (2 hours) worth 50% of the total course mark.

A problem-based learning assignment, assessed by report and presentation and worth 40% of the total course
mark.

An essay, worth 10% of the total course mark.

Prerequisites

We
assume that you have met the minimum entry requirements for our undergraduate
degree programmes (i.e. A level Mathematics (grade A preferred), Physics and
one other A level at ABB or above, or equivalent). We also expect students to
have taken at least one additional maths module in year 1 or 2. If you feel you
meet the prerequisites through a non-standard route, please contact the module
organiser. All variants of the modules (MPHY3892 and MPHYM892) have the same
prerequisites.

The problem-based learning experience

For this course, some of the lectures and all the coursework is used for a problem-based learning exercise where you are put into groups and given a problem to solve. Here are some comments from students who completed this exercise:

"It's been an incredibly rewarding experience ... I think the group
worked well as a team and was well organised ... the results (and the
process) were incredibly satisfying and I'd be happy to work with this
group again on another problem!"

"The group worked really well together, because of this we finished the report with plenty of time to spare and without any undue stress. The word limit of 2500 words meant that we each had lots more that we could have contributed. Through the whole project we made sure that we were working as a team. This meant that we each contributed equally to the final project, and that no one felt they had contributed disproportionally."

"Every member of the team worked hard and well so we ended up with a high quality final piece that I thoroughly enjoyed working on."

"I feel through the task that I as a medic got a greater appreciation of the physics behind the therapies and the physicists within the group gained a better knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of cancer than either of us would have through passive lectures."

"This assignment has definitely improved my teamwork skills and has furthered my understanding of grant applications and scientific investigations, no doubt useful skills for later in life."